Playing without quarterback Dak Prescott for most of the 2020 season, it was still easy to see how high-octane the Cowboys’ offense could be. Backup quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Garrett Gilbert were able to shine in certain moments thanks to the stellar play of the club’s receivers and running backs.
ESPN recently released their rankings for offensive arsenals in 2021, judging the skill positions on offense for every team. Dallas earned the respect of the critics in 2020, being ranked No. 2, only behind the defending champion Buccaneers.
Everybody’s numbers were down after Prescott was replaced by Andy Dalton and the team used backup tackles for virtually the entire season, but rookie wideout CeeDee Lamb looked like a star. We know what Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup can do with a healthy Prescott, and while tight end Blake Jarwin missed most of the year with a torn ACL, Dalton Schultz stepped in and racked up 615 yards with four touchdowns. That’s more receiving yards than Dallas Goedert has produced in any of his three NFL seasons.
In what was considered a down year, running back Ezekiel Elliott put together over 1,300 total yards though he did have issues with five lost fumbles. The most impressive thing about his season was achieving what he did without Prescott and most of the offensive line.
Offensive tackles La’el Collins and Tyron Smith had their season end early while Zack Martin went down later in the season. Both centers Joe Looney and rookie Tyler Biadasz missed time.
His numbers should bounce back some with Prescott & Co. returning to the fold, but the arguments that he was a scheme- or line-transcendent back are firmly in the past. This is a passing team now.
Before the 2020 NFL Draft, Dallas had a strong collection of weapons on offense with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup to go along with tight end Blake Jarwin, who was fresh off a breakout game to end 2019. Things went from good to great in the offense when wide receiver CeeDee Lamb fell to the Cowboys at the No. 17 pick.
Lamb shined in his rookie season with over 1,000 total yards, while also becoming a part of the rushing game and a weapon in the return game. The Oklahoma standout also returned an onside kick for a touchdown against the 49ers to seal the game.
Cooper put together another strong season with over 1,000 receiving yards to go along with five touchdowns. Despite a handful of games where he seemed forgotten, Gallup once again went over 100 targets on the season, totaling 843 receiving yards himself. In a contract season, he’s expected to show the assumed bump in production.
Jarwin went down with a torn ACL in Week 1, but backup Dalton Schultz stepped up and put together a solid season with career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The duo will be valuable in 2021, especially in play-action sets.
The Cowboys’ offense should return to be one of the best, if not the best in 2021 with Prescott and the healthy offensive line back in the fold. The weapons that Dallas has built together in recent years will have a chance to put it all together with everyone taking advantage of a full offseason.
[vertical-gallery id=673788][listicle id=673937][lawrence-newsletter]